Laser Part Marking Capabilities

Laser part markings are on products we use every day. Because it’s fast, clean and efficient, manufacturers in a broad range of industries rely on laser part marking. At Prototype & Short-run Services, we proudly offer state-of-the-art laser part marking technology with the help of Datalogic equipment.

What Are Laser Part Markings?

With the AREX fiber laser marking system from Datalogic, we are able to apply any kind of marking to a part, including:

Barcodes

Datamatrix

Labels

Logos

Text

Serial numbers

Regulatory marking

Why should you choose laser part marking?

When you want markings that won’t rub off or alter the surface tolerance of the material, choose laser part marking. When you want repeatable results, choose laser part marking. When you want unparalleled accuracy, choose laser part marking. Laser part marking improves traceability, yields clean, permanent markings and is fast and efficient.

AREX Fiber Laser Marking System by Datalogic

Datalogic develops and manufactures cutting-edge laser part marking equipment. For high-speed part marking, we use the AREX Fiver Laser Marking System. Because the AREX produces markings with excellent contrast on metal surfaces, we use it for marking PCB assemblies.

Industries Served

At Prototype & Short-run Services, we offer laser part marking services to a wide range of industries, including:

Aerospace

Automotive

Electronics

Identification

Jewelry

Medical

Military

Laser Marking Processes

There are many different ways to mark a part using lasers. To learn more about the different methods of laser part marking, read on:

Ablation:This process involves lasering paint off an object (usually a clear plastic body) to reveal a predefined pattern or logo. Ablation is often used to make Day/Night switches for cars.

Annealing:For things like surgical tools that cannot have any crevices or indentations, annealing is an ideal choice. Annealing heats the material to just before the melting point and creates black markings. Annealing works best with steel and titanium alloys.

Color Change:UsingLaser light to cause plastic to change color, color change is a simple process. By using a laser to change the color of the material, we are able to create a marking without removing material from the surface of the plastic. Consumer electronics manufacturers often use color change for part marking.

Cutting: Because regular marking lasers can cut very thin materials, Laser cutting thin materials is very efficient. However it is important to know this process will damage some materials. To cut thicker materials, such as sheet metal, fiberboards, and fabrics, we use high-powered marking lasers.

Deposition:This process uses laser beams to melt ceramic paints and films in place – permanently. Deposition is commonly used for decorative glass. Though it can be very expensive, deposition yields stunning results.

Light engraving:Engraving is the most common method of laser part marking. The laser beam carves shallow trench (usually between .0001” and .005”), chipping away at the surface to create a marking.

Deep engraving:Molds, dies and stamps require high-powered lasers. Deep engraving is a slow process that works best with materials that absorb lasers well.

Polishing:A process that is very similar to annealing, polishing uses a laser beam to melt just the very top few surface molecules. We often use this process for marking gold and nickel parts that are used in electronic assemblies.

History of Laser Part Marking

Laser part marking can be traced back to the 1950s. A research scientist at Columbia University named Dr. Townes invented the first laser. A few years later, two Soviet scientists took Dr. Townes’ creation and worked on it until it was capable of producing continuous output.

Throughout the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, researchers continued to find new ways to improve and use laser technology. In the 60s, lasers were used mostly for spectroscopy (the study of the interplay between electromagnetic radiation and matter). As the years went on, scientists discovered new ways to use lasers, and now they touch nearly every part of our lives – from the lasers that make it possible to play DVDS to the lasers that perform corrective eye surgery.

Contact Prototype & Short-run Services

Laser part marking is your best option if you want clean, permanent and accurate markings. Whether you need to mark just one prototype or several thousand parts, we’re here to help. To learn more about our services, contact our office in Orange, California here.

As the end of another calendar year approaches, we would like to express our thanks to you and your company to commend you all for the tremendous efforts, technical proficiency, quality products, and services. We are asked to do whatever necessary to help meet near impossible schedules.

While working for a stamping company Jack saw that the need for prototyping was becoming more of an issue every day. No one was satisfied. Customers never got parts to print and in-house people hated doing custom parts. A magazine article in 1989 describing the capabilities.....